Dog friendly beaches near Blackpool

Dogs allowed: north of the North Pier all year round

Blackpool is ideal for family days out and you will certainly find something at this classic UK beach resort to please the whole family, including your dog! Blackpool’s North Beach comprises the northern section of the seven-mile “golden mile” that hugs the city’s western coastline. This beach earns its place as one of the best dog-friendly beaches in and around Blackpool thanks to the ample space provided for your pooch to run, play, and swim in safe waters with lifeguards and not having to worry about disturbing anyone or anything. This is due to the rule that allows dogs year-round on North Beach all the way down to the North Pier.

The wide expanse of golden sand is overlooked by elegant 19th-century architecture and is home to Blackpool’s oldest and longest pier. The pier has all the facilities that you and your dog could need, including an arcade, a selection of cafes and restaurants, toilets, a car park, and even facilities that you didn’t know you needed such as palm readers and traditional Victorian tearooms.

Dogs allowed: all year round

Hest Bank is a small town that is home to a pretty, clean, sandy beach and grassy foreshore. The sandflats and saltmarshes that form the Morecambe Bay Hest Bank are an RSPB reserve making it good place to go bird spotting. Please note that you should refrain from wandering into the intertidal area as there is quicksand and dangerous channels.

Dogs are allowed all year round without restrictions, so you’re free to wander where you like with your canine friend. Many litter bins are provided as well as facilities such as a car park, toilets and several shops.

Dogs allowed: all year round

Heysham’s Half Moon Bay stretches from the scenic Heysham Harbour Wall all the way to the Heritage Centre at Lower Heysham. Flanked by rocks and backed by grassy hills and a coastal path, this beach is a huge, clean expanse of sand, pebbles and mudflats that is great for walking with kids and dogs. The views of Heysham Power Station and across to Morecambe Bay and towards the Lakeland fells truly steal the show.

We recommend this lovely destination to everyone who likes fishing, hiking, cycling and especially those who want to enjoy the fresh seaside air in the company of their furry friend. There’s a wonderful dog friendly café that is always bustling with visitors, pay a visit to enjoy the excellent hot drinks, food and welcoming atmosphere. Free parking is also available opposite the café, sealing the deal for Half Moon Bay to be ranked as one of the best dog friendly beaches near Blackpool.

Dogs allowed: all year round

Despite what the name might suggest, Pilling Sands is really more of a salt marsh with large areas of sand. Located on the southern corner of Morecambe Bay, it’s not a beach where you’d find sunbathers and sandcastle makers, but it is a popular area for activities such as horse riding and of course, walking the pooch. The area has a simple, empty beauty to it, and you’ll get plenty of space to clear your mind and refresh yourself.

The 134-mile-long Lancashire Coastal Way passes near Pilling Sands and is a great route for bird watching, but please note that dogs are not allowed on the embankment. The Pilling Sands section of the path is also closed between Boxing Day and Good Friday to protect lambs and birdlife. There is a picnic site at Lane Ends Amenity Area where parking is also available. For other amenities like toilets and refreshments, you will need to visit Pilling village, which is home to the excellent Elletson Arms, a great place for a spot of lunch after a walk.

Dogs allowed: all year round, except the central section between the lifeboat station and pier (where they're allowed 1 October until Good Friday)

In the northwest part of Lytham St Annes at Saint Anne's on the Sea, you will find a real paradise for dog walkers - the North Beach. Located just to the north of the Victorian pier, there is plenty of room for canine fun as low tide leaves a mile or so of beach stretching out beyond the dunes every day. These dunes also make for a beautiful place to shelter from the wind if you’re looking to rest up or have a picnic.

Dogs are allowed on this beach all year round and there’s plenty of room to avoid groups and even other dogs if your pooch is a nervous customer. There’s also an annual kite festival every year in August which is a sight to behold - please check the details online for exact dates. There’s paid parking close by but if you drive along the road away from the lines, free parking is also available, though this gets busy in summer. The council have also recently opened toilets and there are plenty of black bins along the beach, keeping this a nice clean stretch of sand.